Emma Lou Symonds
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Emma Lou Henderson Symonds passed away peacefully, at home, on May 17, 2022. Emma Lou was born in 1928 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She graduated from University High School in Los Angeles and Oklahoma A&M College, where she graduated magna cum laude, majoring in Spanish. She was a member of the academic honor society Mortar Board. She worked in Oklahoma City for the Oklahoma Tuberculosis Association, traveling throughout the state. Upon returning home, she would get her car serviced at a gas station owned by her future husband, Charles "Sy" Symonds. They married in August 1956, and moved to Dallas in 1957. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend, she was predeceased by her parents and only sibling Edna Mae Henderson.
Emma Lou was a longtime member of University Park United Methodist Church. She was active in HPISD schools, and served as a Camp Fire Girls leader, region advisor for Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, and member of Dallas Council on World Affairs and the Park Cities Republican Women. Her greatest joy and passion were her husband Sy and children, all of whom survive her: Christy Williams (Blake), Cathey Hand (Charlie) and Cha-Cha Bjork (Jon); and grandchildren Jack Bjork (Ansley Joy), Chandler Wright (Landon) and Christian Williams. For the last few years, Emma Lou lived with the challenges of dementia but retained her friendly persona, natural curiosity, and love of family gatherings. Her family sincerely thanks her caregivers Linda Mapesa, Fridah Mbendo, Irene Steel and Thresella Sampson who have been so dedicated to her.
A memorial service will be held at University Park United Methodist Church on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Emma Lou's name can be made to FreedomsFoundation.org/support/donations
View full obituary at www.ariacremation.com